You Really Gotta Meet… Bonita

I’m fortunate to know some pretty amazing people. Thanks to CrossFit, Weight Watchers, Roller Derby, and other wacky/fun/scary/silly adventures, I’m able to surround myself with best-quality people to humor me when I want to do The Murph and comfort me when my frexcitement gets the best of me. Good things are even better when they’re shared, so you really gotta meet…

Bonita Thomsen
Age: 45
Day job: Clinical Research Nurse

I met Bonita at the First Annual Run for the Peanut Butter Bars. I’d seen her around CrossFit Central events, but I don’t think we’d formally met before that morning. I’m lucky she showed up for the run+sugar that day because her determination and strength (mental and physical) are an endless source of inspiration.

As you’ll see in her photos and stories, B is an outdoor adventurer and b-baller. Long distance biking, heavy lifting, running… she does it all, usually with a smile on her face. She’s got plenty to teach us about the value of team sports, why working out with friends is better than training solo, and how if you get your body right, your mind will follow. She’s currently training for the ZOOMA Half Marathon, and I heard a rumor that she’s taking on the Spartan 300 Challenge, starting May 9.

What’s your favorite workout song and why?
No ipod during workouts. I’m very emotional when I listen to music and find it distracting during working outs.

What’s the song you love for working out but are embarrassed to admit?
I listen to the same dance mix CD on my way to Crossfit before every workout. The first song is Corona’s “Rhythm of the Night” which gets me fired up.

What’s your favorite healthy meal/snack?
Zone breakfast salad… it’s mixed melon/grapes, cottage cheese, and slivered almonds.

What’s your favorite food indulgence?
Mexican or Italian food

Running skirts: yes or no. Why?
No. I have always felt uncomfortable/dorky in a dress since childhood.

If you could workout with anyone — living or dead, fictional or real — who would it be?
Coach G… Gail Goesetenkors, the women’s basketball head coach for The University of Texas. Coach G is my role model. I have a framed photo of us in my apartment from when I got the chance to meet her last year. She is a class act.

What would your workout be?
We’d go on an easy pace trail run — I would like to find out what she is like away from the spotlight.

OK! You’ve just had the workout/race/competition of your life. Congratulations! How do you celebrate?
A sipper of Don Julio 1942/ice cold Mexican beer, dress up fancy, and go out to eat at ZOOT.

Pretend you’re creating your dream team of people you like to train with…
What’s your team name?
“The Amazons” because I think the definition represents the tribe/type of women I’d like to be on a team with.

What are your team colors?
Royal blue, with touches of white, silver, and bright yellow

Any specifics on what your uniforms look like?
Sports bra tops and either low-rise, form-fitting shorts or tights. Loose fitting warm up suits of the same color combination to hide our awesome, ripped, bodies until the competition begins! HA!

What’s your trick for getting motivated when you’re just not feelin’ it?
Having a training partner or inviting someone to workout with me.

Anything else you want people to know about you?
I have a funny, non-serious side!

Got a favorite quote?
“It’s always an adventure!”